MindfulOpus

When your worth depends on your results, and how that pressure leads to burnout. If your inner-critic has been running the show — the one that tells you you're only as worthy as your latest performance, audition result, or practice session — this episode is for you. In this conversation, I share the real cost of being your own worst critic: how tying your worth to your results quietly fuels burnout, anxiety, procrastination, and overworking. We'll look at what happens in your nervous system when you practice from a place of threat instead of safety, and why "pushing harder" stops working over time. From there, we start shifting from inner-critic to inner-coach. Drawing on the work of Dr. Kristin Neff, I'll walk you through the idea of self-compassion as inner resilience training — both the tender support that lets you rest, and the fierce support that helps you set boundaries, show up, and take brave action without the whip. You'll be invited to build your own inner-resilience toolbox for body, mind, and music, so you can work in a way that's sustainable and kind. In this episode, we explore: How tying your self-worth to your results is hurting you, on and off stage Why harsh self-criticism backfires (and actually blocks learning) The difference between judgment and data — and how to actually progress in a healthy way Tender vs. fierce self-compassion, and how both ways support your artistry and your life How to start creating your own inner-resilience toolbox so you can practice, perform, and live from a place of safety instead of fear Because when your worth is no longer tied to your artistic product, your nervous system can settle, your curiosity can return, and you create sustainable growth in a way that serves you long-term.   Listen on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube. Also - Come say hi! @mindfulopus on Instagram, or mindfulopus.com  

A conversation around vulnerability, long-haul artistry, and the case for communication over perfection—through the lens of a 35-year run in one of the most high-pressure chairs in the orchestral world. In this episode, I sit down with my friend and musical hero, Joshua Smith—Grammy-nominated Principal Flute of The Cleveland Orchestra. We trace his early musical journey (yes, it all started with a cool flute case), how showtunes and theatre taught him phrasing and stage presence, and why he's not interested in perfection as a goal. Josh shares how curiosity helps him meet the pressures of a 35-year career, why he resists having a rigid "formula," and how meditation, yoga, and his recent sabbatical re-anchored him into his "beginner's mind". We also talk about his new audition books, The Audition Method and how his core artistic value – communication – has guided him all these years. Favorite quote: "You can't really have freedom and safety at the same time".   Who this is for If you're in a high-pressure performing environment and want to know how to cultivate a healthy long-term approach to high-standards and limitless curiosity and freedom in the process, this one's for you.   Timestamps (03:10) Early days in music (acting, musicals, phrasing, communication) (12:10) Life is the high-pressure chair (pressure, curiosity, authenticity, perfection, inner-critic,                shame, vulnerability, freedom)  (36:50) Yoga, meditation, sabbatical, hobbies + creativity, audition book (58:25) Rapid fires Mentioned Debussy: Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune Beethoven Symphony No. 9 Brené Brown on perfectionism & vulnerability Tara Brach (talks), Yoga Nidra Slow Horses (series) The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny (novel) New York Times Book Review (podcast)   Guest Joshua Smith — Principal Flute, The Cleveland Orchestra (Grammy-nominated), author of The Audition Method (flute; series also includes clarinet & violin). IG: @JoshuaSoloFlute • Web: soloflute.com   Connect with me IG: @mindfulopus • Web: mindfulopus.com If this episode resonated, add the show to your library, give it 5 stars, leave a short review, or share it with a friend. You can also grab my free well-being resource on my website.

If you've ever felt like music has taken over your entire life — the long hours, the pressure, the constant fear of not doing enough — this episode is for you. We've been taught that total dedication is the only path to mastery. But what if that belief is actually holding you back? In this episode, I introduce The MindfulOpus Well-Being Wheel — a framework designed to help musicians move from burnout to balance. You'll learn how nurturing all parts of your life — your music, mind, body, spirituality, hobby, social and rest  — can strengthen your focus, creativity, and performance. We'll explore: Why over-identifying with your art leads to exhaustion and self-criticism The science behind balance and sustainable high performance How to create space for your whole self, so you can play and live with more contentment – both on and off stage. Because when you care for the human behind the art, the art shines…   Episode Highlights (05:02) Music (09:29) Mind (12:29) Body (14:24) Spirituality (16:35) Hobby (18:59) Social (21:11) Rest Listen on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube Also - Come say hi! @mindfulopus on Instagram, or mindfulopus.com  

A conversation around mindfulness, perfectionism, well-being, and rewriting the audition story from the inside out. In this powerful conversation, I sit down with James Patterson, Tredjestilling Horn (3rd/1st horn) player with the Oslo Philharmonic, to explore the intersection of mindfulness, performance, and the audition journey. James shares how mindfulness first became a steadying force for him during school—helping him manage stress, explore healthy hobbies, and cultivate balance beyond the practice room. But the heart of this episode lies in his story of transformation: from feeling trapped in perfectionism and all-or-nothing thinking to completely reimagining his approach to auditions—with his well-being front and center. We unpack what it means to decide to feel good in the process itself—and how that single mindset shift reshaped not just his preparation, but his entire experience. By rebuilding his audition process from the inside out, James discovered the curiosity and self-acceptance that ultimately led him to win two orchestral jobs back to back. We also talk about what life looks like after the audition—the ongoing practice of letting go of perfectionism, staying connected to music in new ways, and redefining what work-life balance can truly mean. Whether you're in audition mode, mentoring others, or navigating the day-to-day of professional performance, this episode offers practical insights and compassionate reminders about honoring yourself and your well-being—at every stage of your musical journey.   Episode Highlights (06:40) Mindfulness, school and supportive hobbies (18:52) Audition struggles (28:44) Audition 180 (43:31) Audition process breakdown (56:41) Post audition life, job +well-being exploration (59:44) Rapid fire questions   Also - Come say hi! @mindfulopus on Instagram, or mindfulopus.com  

Are you chasing perfection...or pursuing excellence? In this episode of the MindfulOpus Podcast, I dive into one of the most common — and costly — mindsets musicians face: perfectionism. On the surface, perfection can feel like a motivator. But in reality, it's a trap that leads to performance anxiety, burnout, and a loss of joy in music-making long-term. I'll share why perfection isn't sustainable, and how excellence becomes the foundation for a career and life you can sustain.  Along the way, I'll bring in science-backed facts, and offer the Excellence over Perfection Framework that I use with 100% of my clients, to help you in how you show up in the practice room and on stage. I'll share five key concepts that can change how you approach your practice and your performance: High Score vs. Perfect Score — why shooting for less than 100% unlocks consistency and flow. Curiosity vs. Shame — how to meet mistakes with experimentation instead of self-criticism. Growth vs. Fixed Mindset — shifting from proving yourself to improving yourself. Inner Coach vs. Inner Critic — why your self-talk shapes your entire experience. Resilience vs. Burnout — how excellence supports a sustainable, healthy, creative career. And as a takeaway, I share a practical thought experiment that helps you spot the trap of perfection — and step confidently into excellence instead. My hope is that by the end, you'll see that letting go of perfection doesn't mean lowering your standards — it means pursuing them in a way that actually lasts.   TIMESTAMPS (04:18) 1st concept: high, not perfect score (05:43) 2nd concept: curiosity vs. shame (07:35) 3rd concept: growth over fixed mindset (10:18) 4th concept: inner-critic vs. inner-coach (12:48) 5th concept: resilience vs. burnout (16:03) Thought experiment   Also - Come say hi! @mindfulopus on Instagram, or mindfulopus.com    

In the classical music world, we're often taught that struggle is the price of greatness. That if you just sacrifice a little more—your health, your time, your relationships—you'll finally get the result you've been chasing. But what if our artistry didn't have to come at the cost of our humanity? In this debut episode, I take you behind the curtain of my own journey - and when my biggest win also became your biggest wake-up call. From grueling childhood auditions in France, to winning my dream job at 21 and facing career-threatening injuries, I share how burnout forced me to find a new way forward. You'll hear how yoga, mindfulness, and coaching gave me a path back to health, balance, and presence—and why I now believe well-being isn't optional, but essential for creating both great art and a fulfilling life. By the end of this episode, you'll walk away with: A new perspective on why "grind culture" is unsustainable in classical music. A definition of well-being that goes beyond "getting by." Three simple reflection questions you can use today to check in with your own well-being. Reflection Questions from the Episode Where in my life am I neglecting my well-being the most? How is this affecting me—both on stage and off? What's one small shift I can make that feels manageable and sustainable? Also - Come say hi! @mindfulopus on Instagram, or mindfulopus.com

Hello and welcome to the MindulOpus podcast! I'm your host, Jo Zakany — violist with The Cleveland Orchestra, yoga teacher, and coach for classical musicians. Here, we switch from Grind to Kind in our artistic process – so that artists like you can avoid burnout, ditch performance anxiety, and create a thriving, healthy life -  on and off stage.  I'm so glad you're here! Let's get into it.   Season 1 is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you listen to podcasts. Episodes will be released every other Tuesday. Also - Come say hi! @mindfulopus on Instagram, or mindfulopus.com